Open Access

Human placental growth hormone in normal and abnormal fetal growth (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Alexandros Velegrakis
    • Maria Sfakiotaki
    • Stavros Sifakis
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: June 21, 2017     https://doi.org/10.3892/br.2017.930
  • Pages: 115-122
  • Copyright: © Velegrakis et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Human placental growth hormone (PGH), encoded by the growth hormone (GH) variant gene on chromosome 17, is expressed in the syncytiotrophoblast and extravillous cytotrophoblast layers of the human placenta. Its maternal serum levels increase throughout pregnancy, and gradually replaces the pulsatile secreted pituitary GH. PGH is also detectable in cord blood and in the amniotic fluid. This placental‑origin hormone stimulates glyconeogenesis, lipolysis and anabolism in maternal organs, and influences fetal growth, placental development and maternal adaptation to pregnancy. The majority of these actions are performed indirectly by regulating maternal insulin‑like growth factor‑I levels, while the extravillous trophoblast involvement indicates a direct effect on placental development, as it stimulates trophoblast invasiveness and function via a potential combination of autocrine and paracrine mechanisms. The current review focuses on the role of PGH in fetal growth. In addition, the association of PGH alterations in maternal circulation and placental expression in pregnancy complications associated with abnormal fetal growth is briefly reviewed.
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August-2017
Volume 7 Issue 2

Print ISSN: 2049-9434
Online ISSN:2049-9442

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Spandidos Publications style
Velegrakis A, Sfakiotaki M and Sifakis S: Human placental growth hormone in normal and abnormal fetal growth (Review). Biomed Rep 7: 115-122, 2017
APA
Velegrakis, A., Sfakiotaki, M., & Sifakis, S. (2017). Human placental growth hormone in normal and abnormal fetal growth (Review). Biomedical Reports, 7, 115-122. https://doi.org/10.3892/br.2017.930
MLA
Velegrakis, A., Sfakiotaki, M., Sifakis, S."Human placental growth hormone in normal and abnormal fetal growth (Review)". Biomedical Reports 7.2 (2017): 115-122.
Chicago
Velegrakis, A., Sfakiotaki, M., Sifakis, S."Human placental growth hormone in normal and abnormal fetal growth (Review)". Biomedical Reports 7, no. 2 (2017): 115-122. https://doi.org/10.3892/br.2017.930